The Sony PlayStation 5 is built using cutting-edge components, including a speedy solid-state drive. However, the default storage option isn’t enough for all players. Luckily, it’s possible to purchase a PS5 SSD upgrade, but the cost of the high-end options are likely to make your eyes water. Which storage expansion is best for budget-conscious buyers?
Which PS5 SSD upgrade is the cheapest?
For now, the cheapest PS5 SSD upgrade is either the Western Digital Black SN850 or the Samsung 980 Pro. Both of these can expand PS5 storage to 1TB, and only cost about $200. The catch is that you may also need to buy a separate heatsink to help them stay cool.
Given that SSDs only come in set sizes — 512GB, 1TB, 2TB, and so on — and given that the PlayStation 5 comes from the factory with 667GB storage, a 1TB SSD is the smallest reasonable upgrade. As such, the cheapest PS5 SSD upgrade will always be the lowest-cost SSD that meets Sony’s specifications.
Of course, the full list of compatible SSDs will change over time as more companies release products with Sony’s required specifications. Still, as things stand now, there are several PS5-compatible 1TB SSDs:
- Gigabyte Aorus Gen4 7000S
- Patriot Viper VP4300
- Samsung 980 Pro
- Seagate FireCuda 530
- Western Digital Black SN850
More importantly, each of these storage expansions either come with a heatsink or have one available separately. Sony’s own PS5 SSD requirements specifically call for M.2 SSDs with heatsinks, likely to ensure cool operation. However, not all heatsinks are guaranteed to actually fit into the PS5. Before making your choice, it’s wise to make sure the SSD and the heatsink together fit within Sony’s specifications.
Higher-capacity storage expansions are expensive, but if one terabyte is enough, you can upgrade the PS5 SSD for about $250. From there, prices and capacity basically double at each tier. No matter which way you’re leaning, you should carefully consider your storage needs before you spend any hard-earned cash.
